Post by racaille on Aug 2, 2008 14:06:36 GMT
Paco's been on hols for more than two weeks, eating unlimited san foin and getting fat, so I lunged him yesterday. It was so very hot that he was terribly slow and sloppy, which rather lulled me into a false sense of security.
Thought he was probably not be up for a proper schooling session in the arena today so the YO said: 'Why don't you have a bit of fun in the stubble fields....?'
As soon as I got on him I realised this was a rubbish idea. I was sitting on a very grumpy timebomb. Anyway, had to set off not to lose face (eh hem
) but as soon as I was out of sight I wondered what on earth had possessed me. He was spooky and sharp and really being horrible. Right then, I said, two can play at that game! So I picked up the contact and put my legs on, which made him violently grumpy which, bizarrely, always makes him carry himself well. So as soon as he was in a wonderful outline with energy bursting out of his little Spanish ears, I used it and made him do a good trot, with lots of walk in between.
Ah hah! Round one to me!
But then the stubble fields winked at me and I couldn't resist ... he was tired and hot by now so had a few really nice canters. And no bucking!!
Round two to me!
So as a reward I rode him into the river and he enjoyed the water swirling around under his belly. As we left he swished his by now sopping wet (very long) tail violently and caught me a hard wet slap across my bare arm.
Round three to Paco!
Thought he was probably not be up for a proper schooling session in the arena today so the YO said: 'Why don't you have a bit of fun in the stubble fields....?'
As soon as I got on him I realised this was a rubbish idea. I was sitting on a very grumpy timebomb. Anyway, had to set off not to lose face (eh hem
) but as soon as I was out of sight I wondered what on earth had possessed me. He was spooky and sharp and really being horrible. Right then, I said, two can play at that game! So I picked up the contact and put my legs on, which made him violently grumpy which, bizarrely, always makes him carry himself well. So as soon as he was in a wonderful outline with energy bursting out of his little Spanish ears, I used it and made him do a good trot, with lots of walk in between.Ah hah! Round one to me!
But then the stubble fields winked at me and I couldn't resist ... he was tired and hot by now so had a few really nice canters. And no bucking!!
Round two to me!
So as a reward I rode him into the river and he enjoyed the water swirling around under his belly. As we left he swished his by now sopping wet (very long) tail violently and caught me a hard wet slap across my bare arm.
Round three to Paco!
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
